HR Business Partner - Widnes

HR Business Partner Jobs

As the name suggests, the HR business partner is an important influencer of the direction a company takes with regard to its employees. He or she ensures strategic aims laid down by the board are implemented at location or site level, depending on the size and nature of the company. The HR business partner might have slightly different responsibilities to a HR manager, for example, in that the role will probably involve working alongside a manager and advising them rather than tackling the hands-on business of managing a site’s staff. However, different organisations place different requirements of the HR BP, and in some companies there is a good deal of crossover.

The business partner may work more closely with the directors than a manager would. They have a very close handle on the strategic planning of the wider company and may even have influence within the board. All this points towards a skilled member of the team, with a vitally important strategic role.

The skills required

Many employers have CIPD and/or degree qualification as a primary requirement for the role of HR business partner as companies are looking for an impressive amount of knowledge of personal development. Experience within the relevant sector is also useful, as different types of work have varying requirements and infrastructures that need to be understood from day one.

An ability to communicate clearly and unambiguously with members of the company at all levels is an essential attribute. Strategic direction is not just imposed from the top of a modern company; it is often arrived at organically by having a flow of information from the operatives to the directors and vice versa. As HR business partner, you will be the interpreter and conduit of that information. Done well, you could have a phenomenal effect on the business’s fortunes.

HR Business Partner Jobs in Widnes

At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.

The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.

Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!

Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, HR Business Partner jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.

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Find HR Business Partner Jobs with Cast UK

As specialist in human resources recruitment, Cast UK is the first place to look whether you’re an HR professional looking to take your next step in your career or a company looking to find the best people around. Because we only deal with management, partner and executive level recruitment, we recognize real talent and fabulous opportunities when they come along. When our skilled consultants make the match, both parties benefit.

That’s how we’ve managed to become the sole recruitment organ for many companies throughout the UK. We ensure the candidates we send are the real deal, experts in their field with experience to the degree required.

If you’re looking to take a positive step in your HR career, or if you’re looking for an HR business partner, call us today on 0333 121 3345.

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